Rotary envelope machine



Jan. 7 196k 8 .l 6 t w, m M 1.. Q EN 1 s. wm uw m la eh b m M.. b A m w H C Km mm ww Nw A. Wn. 4/Nm. m o R6 5 9 1 1 2 V QN Original Filed D A T TRNEYS Jan. 7, 1964 A. NovlcK 3,116,668

V ROTARY ENVELOPE MACHINE Original Filed Dec. 21, 1956 14'SheeS-Sheet 2 INVENTOR. Abra/10m Amr/ck ATTORNEYS Jan. 7, 1964 A. NovlcK ROTARY ENVELOPE MACHINE Original Filed Dec. 2l, 1956 14 Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENTOR. Awa/mm No l//ck M, M4 M AT TORNEKS Jan. 7, 1964 A. NovlcK ROTARY ENVELOPE MACHINE Original Filed Dec. 2l, 1956- 14 Sheets-Sheet 4 IN VEN TOR. A bra/7am No vic/f A 7' TOR/V675 Jan. 7, 1964 A. NovlcK ROTARY ENvELoPE MACHINE original Filed Dec. 21, 195e 14 Sheets-Sheet 5 IN VEN TOR. A brd/7am Nal/1dr ATTORNEYS Jan. 7, 1964 A. NovlcK ROTARY ENVELOPE MACHINE Original Filed Deo. 21, 1956 14 Sheets-Sheet 6 kfw, M .L m ATTORNEYS Jan. 7, 1964 A. NovlcK 3,116,658

ROTARY ENvELoPE MACHINE Original Filed Deo. 21, 1956 14 Sheets-Sheet 7 INVEN ,4b/ahum N01/ /4 T TORNE Y Jan. 7, 1964 A. NovlcK ROTARY ENvELoPE MACHINE original Filed Dc. 2,1, 1956 14 Sheets-Sheet 8 TTURNEYS Jan. 7, 1964 A. NovlcK ROTARY ENVELOPE MACHINE 14 sheets-sheet 9 Original Filed Dec. 2l, 1956 INVENTOR. Abra/mm No Vick %rv4, M i AT TORNE YS Jan. 7, 1964 A. NovlcK ROTARY ENvELoPE MACHINE 14 Sheets-Sheet 10 Original Filed Dec. 2l, 1956y INVENTQR. Abra/7am Nov/ck A T TORNE YS Jan. 7, 1964 A. NovlcK ROTARY ENvELoPE MACHINE 14 Sheets-Sheet 11 Original Filed Deo. 2l, 1956 SSS INVENTOR Abraham Nov/CK BY l //fww, M 9# M A T TORNEYS A. NOVICK ROTARY ENVELOPE MACHINE Jan. 7, 1964 14 Sheets-Sheet 12 Original Filed Dec. 2l, 1956 INVENTOR.

ATTORNEYS Abraham No v/'CK Jan. 7, 1964V A. NOVICK ROTARY ENVELOPE MACHINE original Filed Dec. 21, 195e 14 Sheets-Sheet 13 Ewan/l M4 A T TRNE V5 United States Patent O Fice 3,116,668 RQTARY ENVELOPE MACHINE Abraham Noviclr, Flushing, N .Y., assigner to F. L.

Smithe Machine Co., Inc., New York, N.Y., a corporation of New York Continuation of application Ser. No. 629,902, Dec. 21,

1956. This application Nov. 15, 1960, Ser. No. 70,872

26 Claims. (Cl. 93-62) This invention is a continuation of my prior copending application Serial No. 629,902 filed December 21, 1956, now abandoned, and relates to the manufacture of envelopes and more specifically to the final steps performed by so-called high speed rotary envelope machines, consisting of the folding and adhering of the bottom fiap, the folding in of the dried seal ap, and the delivery of the finished envelopes one by one into stack formation.

The mechanism for performing these steps in modern envelope making machines has been slow acting relative to most of the other operating mechanisms of the machine, and has been chiefly responsible for imposing a limiting rate of production upon these machines. The slowness of these elements has resulted chiefly from the fact that each of them has involved reciprocatory parts of long sweep and substantial mass, which were so arranged and timed that they had to execute a full reciprocation, including both active and return strokes, in a fraction of a machine cycle.

It is a primary object of the invention to provide means for performing the steps referred to effectively and dependably at a very much increased rate. Mechanism embodying the novel features of the present invention has been caused to achieve an output of finished envelopes at a rate in excess of seven hundred and fifty envelopes per minute.

It is a feature of the present invention, in one form of embodiment, that the operations referred to are achieved through the utilization of parts which operate only in a continuous, rotary manner. In an alternative form of the invention it is a feature that the operations referred to are achieved through the utilization of parts which operate in a continuous, rotary manner in conjunction with simple reciprocatory parts of short stroke and small mass.

It is a feature of the invention that novel bottom ap folding mechanism is provided which includes:

(l) A suction drum onto which scored blanks are fed successively in spaced out relation and in timed relation with the operation of the drum, each with its bottom flap leading, its seal flap trailing, and its end flaps folded inward on top of the body area, said drum having suction means for holding an envelope body in fixed relation to the drum throughout the bottom flap folding operation;

(2) A continuously rotary suction member, timed in its operation to pick up the leading margin of the bottom flap and carry it away from the drum for initiating the fold along the score line which divides the bottom flap from the body as the advance of the blank by the drum is continued; and

3) A continuously rotary pressing roller of comparatively small diameter located to intercept the bottom flap when released by the rotary suction member, complete the folding thereof, and press the bottom flap down against the lining face of the body and the exposed, gummed leading margins of the end flaps for adhesion thereto.

It is a further feature of the invention that mechanism is provided for relatively folding the seal liap and the body, which comprises:

(l) A rotary suction drum (desirably the same one referred to as forming a part of the bottom flap folding mechanism), which includes suction means for engaging llh Patented Jan. 7, 1964 the seal flap to hold the seal flap in fixed relation to the drum throughout the relative folding of the body and the seal flap;

(2) Means for deflecting the body of the blank away from the drum to initiate a fold along the score line which divides the seal flap from the envelope body, and to continue the fold through a substantial angle; and

(3) An opposed drum (desirably of smaller diameter than the first) disposed to intercept the deflected envelope body, to complete the fold, and to press the envelope body down against the seal flap, and having means for taking over control of the finished envelope and for carrying the envelope away from the first drum after release of the seal flap by the suction means on the first drum.

It is still another feature of the invention that delivery means is provided which comprises:

(1) A constantly rotating drum (which may be and desirably is, the second drum of the seal flap folding means) which includes suction means for engaging each completed envelope near the leading edge of the envelope body and feeding the envelope forward, with the sealing flap folded against the now leading area of the body, to a transfer point;

(2) A comparatively slow running, continuously rotary, slotted carrier disposed to have an envelope thrust upward into each of its slots by the drum as the slots arrive successively in an envelope receiving position, and a stationary horizontal delivery table which extends secant to the slotted carrier at the downgoing side of the carrier, in position to intercept and arrest each blank on the carrier and force it from its slot as the carrier continues its forward motion, so that the blank is discharged onto the table in registry with the blanks on the table which have preceded it. The carrier serves also as means for pushing the stack along the table to the extent of substantially the thickness of alsingle envelope each time that an envelope is added to the stack.

It is a feature that the suction drum which participates both in the bottom flap folding and in the top flap folding is made of such large diameter that a plurality of envelope manufacturing cycles occur during a single revolution of the drum at the speed of envelope travel. This is advantageous from the standpoint of providing ample room for the two folding operations to follow one another while the envelope is being carried through an upper arc of the drum travel.

Other objects and advantages will hereinafter appear.

In the drawing forming part of this specification.

FIGURE 1 is 'a view in sectional side elevation of an illustrative combined folding and delivery mechanism embodying one practical and highly advantageous form of the invention, the section being taken on line 1 1 of FIG. 3;

FIGURE 2 is a lfragmentary sectional view taken on the line 2--2 of FIGURE 3;

FIGURE v3 is a fragmentary plan View of the mechanism illustrated in FIGURE l;

FIGURE 4 is la fragmentary view in sectional side elevation, partly broken away, and on a larger scale than FIGURE 1, showing the bottom flap folding operation in progress;

FIGURE 5 is a view ygenerally similar to FIGURE 4, but showing the bottom flap folding operation at a more advanced stage than in FIGURE 4;

FIGURE 6 is a fragmentary detail view, partly broken away, of a blower which is employed in the seal flap folding operation;

FIGURE 7 is a fragmentary detail view showing the final stage of the bottom ap folding;

FIGURE 8 is a view similar to FIGURE 4 but showing the bottom flap folding completed and the seal flap folding in progress;

FIGURE 9 is a fragmentary view showing particularly two adjacent slots of the slotted delivery carrier and a folded envelope in one of them;

FIGURE 10` is a fragmentary view in end elevation, partly broken away, of valve mechanism illustrated'in FIGURE lil, the section in the broken away areas belng taken on the line 10-10 of FIGURE 11;

FIGURE 11 is a 4fragmentary view in side elevation, partly broken away, of valve mechanism illustrated in FIGURE 10, the section in the broken away areas being taken on the line 1111 of FIGURE 10;

FIGURE Al2 is a fragmentary sectional view taken upon the line 12-12`of FIGURE 3, looking in the direction of the arrows;

FIGURE 13 is a fragmentary sectional view taken upon the line 13-13 of FIGURE 3, looking in the direction of the arrows;

[FIGURE 14 is a view taken on the line 14-14 of FIGURE l5, looking in the direction of the arrows and showing a form of suction drum which comprises relatively adjustable sections for accommodating envelope blanks of different sizes;

FIGURE 15 is a view in elevation of the suction drum of FIGUR-E 14;

FIGURE 16 is a detail view, partly broken away, of a blower employed in the drum of FIGURES 14 and 15;

FIGURE 17 is a view similar to FIGURE 4 of a moditied form of mechanism in which mechanical means is provided for initiating and carrying forward the seal ap folding;

FIGURES 18 and 19 are views generally similar to FIGURE 17 but showing successive stages in the seal flap folding ope-ration;

FIGURE 20 is a fragmentary plan view, partly in section, showing the mechanism of FIGURES 14 to 19;

FIGURE 211 is a fragmentary view in sectional side eleva-tion showing a further modified form of mechanism, the section being taken on the line 21-21 of FIGURE 24 looking in the direction of the arrows;

FIGURE y22 is a fragmentary detail sectional view taken on the line 22-22 of FIGURE 21, looking in the direction of the arrows;

FIGURE 23 is a fragmentary view of a belt guiding and driving pulley employed in the structure of FIG- URE 21;

FIGURE 24 is a fragmentary view in elevation of the mechanism shown in full lines in FIGURE 2l, the view being taken along the line 24-24 of FIGURE 21 looking in the Adirection of the arrows; and

FIGURE 25 is a comprehensive view, partially diagrammatic, of lthe form of mechanism disclosed in FIG- URES 21 to 24.

The illustrative machine of FIGURES 1 to 13, includsive, comprises the usual rigid, stationary frame structure, portions of which are shown `and hereinafter described, upon which the various operating parts are conventionally mounted. The novel mechanism which is illustrated is designed todeal with individualized envelope blanks which have reached the condition of the blank 10, as shown at the left side of FIGURE 3. The blank 10 is shown as comprising a body portion 12 which is divided by transverse score lines 14 and 16, respectively, to form a leading bottom flap portion `18 and a trailing seal or closure flap portion 20. The seal ap portion 20 has dried gum 22 applied to its lining face, which face is uppermost as the blank is shown in FIGURES 1 and 3. End flap portions 24 have already been folded over and in upon the body portion 12 about fold lines 26. The leading margins of the end flap portions 24 have wet gum 28 applied, through which the bottom flap L18 is to be adhered -to the end flaps 24 when the bottom flap is subsequently folded over and pressed down against the body portion 12 and the end flaps 24. The folding and pressing of the 'bottom flap 18 is the first signiiicant operation. performed by the mechanism illustrated. The

4 second significant operation is the relative folding of the body portion 12 and the seal flap 20. The third and final significant operation is the depositing and accumulating of the finished envelopes into yan orderly stack at a very high rate of delivery.

The blanks, afterpreliminary operations which are not illustrated, are fed in the condition of the blank 10 in spaced out relation and at very high speed by the rollers of a feed couple 30 onto la drum 32 which continues the blanks forward at the same speed as that at which they arrive. The rollers of the feed couple 30 are very narrow rollers which engage narrow blank margins only, so as to escape contact with Ithe wet gum 28. Although the invention is not limited to a four-up drum, the 'drum 32 chosen for illustration is designed for fourup operation, it being understood that, for example, a three-up operation is equally desirable. 'I'h'at is to say, the circumference of the drum is equal in extent to the distance that a blank is fed in a plurality of machine cycles (the period of a cycle being the time between the arrival of successive envelope blanks at any selected point in the machine), and the operating mechanisms carried by the drum are repeated as many times as the number of cycles executed in a single revolution of the drum. Each blank is operated upon by only one of these sets of mechanisms. It follows that each of the mechanisms carried by the drum is called upon to act only once in `a full revolution of the drum.

The Vdrum 32, as shown, is provided with four lines'. of suction openings 34, each designed to engage the leading margin of the outer or lower face of the body portion v12 of a blank adjacent the score line 14, and four lines of suction openings 36, each designed to engage' the leading margin of the outer or lower face of the seal flap 20 of a blank adjacent the score line 16 as in FIG- URE 5.` Suitable provision is made for supplying andy controlling suction to the passages 34 and 36, as will be brought out more fully at a subsequent point.

Each blank is fed onto the drum across a table 38 and beneath positively acting narrow feed rollers 40, which bear against the drum directly or through the narrow, ungummed blank margins, and is so timed in its arrival that the leading margin of the body portion 12 covers the suction passages of a row 34, as in FIGS. 1 and 4. The suction is caused to come on in the passages 34 at or just before the time when the passages reach the blank engaging position adjacent the feed rollers 40.

At the same time the leading margin of the bottom flap 18 is engaged by a suction segment or tube 42 which is rotatively driven in a path substantially tangent to the drum 32 and at a peripheral speed equal to the peripheral speed of the drum. The segment 42 is of such small radius that it is required to make two complete revolutions during each cycle of the machine. :Since alternate revolutions of the segment `42 are active and the other alternate revolutions should be inactive, the furnishing of suction to the segment 42 is controlled to occur only in those revolutions in which the segment is scheduled to engage the leading margin of a bottom flap 18. The segment 42 picks up the leading margin of the bottom flap 18 in the full line position shown in FIGURES l and 4, deects the Hap 18 away from the drum 32, thereby initiating the folding of the bottom ap about the score line 14, and carries forward the folding until the parts of the mechanism and of the blank are in the positions illustrated in broken lines at 42a and 13a in FIGURE 4. At that point the suction in the segment 42 is discontinued, so that the bottom flap 18 is released by 42.

After the release of the bottom iiap 18` by the segment 42, the bottom ap tends to spring upward and forward as in FIG. 5. It is intercepted by a pressing roller (see IFIG. 3 also), which acts to continue the folding of the bottom flap 18 and then presses it down against the body portion 12 and against the wet, gummed margins of the end flaps 24.

It is evident that there is a critical point past which the bottom flap 18 must be carried by the segment 4Z if the fold -is to be completed about the score line 14. If the flap 18 were deflected only a very short distance and then released, it might simply fall back against the drum and pass in a flat condition into -the nip of the pressing roller 44 and the drum 32. lf it were carried somewhat farther, but not past the critical point, a fold would be formed but it would not be formed in the desired 'location nor in the manner intended.

The roller 44, like the segment 42, is of small radius. These radii have an important bearing upon the location of the critical point and the ability of the segment to carry the bottom ilap through the critical point in a comparatively brief period of operation. Because the roller 44 is of such small radius the bottom flap is quickly carried outward farther than the center of the roller so that when it springs outward and forward it will be intercepted by, and will not push in underneath the roller in a condition to be folded irregularly. The flap 1S is shown in FIGURE 5 in the act of being intercepted by the roller 44. When intercepted in a position like that shown, the flap 18 will be folded down and fed into the nip of the roller 44 in the manner intended.

It should be noted also that the fact that .the suction member 42 is a mere segment and not a complete cylinder is important in the successful carrying out of the folding action. The fact that the member 42 is segmental leaves room for the blank to bend along the score line 14 as shown, and not merely to wrap around a cylindrical surface.

In FIGURE 7 the blank has entered the nip of the roller 44 and the pressing action `is in progress. At this point the suction effect is no longer required in the passages 34 and the suction is cut off. This is an important step in preparation for the folding over of Ithe body 12 onto the seal ap Ztl, because it releases the body for such folding.

Shortly prior to the attainment of the position illustrated in FIGURE 8, suction is applied in the passage 36 for the purpose of securing the leading margin of the seal flap 2l) adjacent the score line 16 in a fixed relation to the drum. A short time after the suction in the passages 36 has become effective, a blower 46, which is carried by the drum 32 just in advance -of the passages 36, is rendered active by the supplying of air under pressure to the blower. The blower deflects the body of the blank 1d away from the drum 32, as seen in FIGURE 8. As the blank and the drum continue forward together with the blower active, the blank approaches a second drum 43 in the condition of the blank lila illustrated in FIGURE l. The drum 43 intercepts the body of the blank and continues the folding of it about the score line i6 as the score Iline approaches the nip formed by the two drums 32 and 48. A preceding blank tlb is shown in FGURE 5 as having entered the nip of the drums 32 and 48. This completes the manufacture of the envelope, and there remains only the necessity of discharging the envelope, along with those which precede and follow it, in neat and orderly fashion.

The drum 32 is continuous on its surface both axially and circumferentially. The drum `48, on the other hand, is not continuous in either direction. It is adequate, nevertheless, for intercepting and pressing the blank and for taking over control of the blank from the drum 32 and conducting the blank away. The drum 48 is composed of three axially spaced discs Sill (FIGS. 3 and 5) which are made fast on a shaft 52, and two diametrically opposed suction and pressing bars 54. The drum 48 represents a two-up arrangement, there being two envelopes received and two envelopes discharged for each revolution of the drum. It is lfor that reason that two of the combined suction and pressing bars 54 are provided.

At substantially the point illustrated in FIGURE 5, the suction in the passages of the row 36 is discontinued and atmospheric air is admitted, and at the same time suction is applied in the passages 56 of the bar 54 which is shown pressed against the blank illb. This assures that the envelope will be carried away from the nip by the drum 4S rather than the drum 32. The envelope is caused by the suction to travel into the space between the drum 43 and stationary concave guide members 58 which are complementary to the drum 4i; and are located closely adjacent to the discs 5t) of the drum throughout a substantial arc.

Beyond the guide members 58, successive spring biased rollers 60 and 62 coact with the two outer discs S0 of the drum 4S to feed the envelope forward at the same constant speed at which it was advanced by the feed couple 3o and by the drum 32. As the envelope enters the nip of the rollers 62 the suction is cut off in passages S6 and atmospheric air is admitted.

A rotary slotted envelope carrier v64 (FIGS. l and 3) runs substantially tangent to the drum 48 at a point above the point of tangency of the rollers 62. As shown, the axis of the shaft 66 which forms part of the slotted carrier and supports and drives the other parts thereof is located substantially abo-ve the horizontal plane of the axis of the shaft 52 upon which the drum 48 is mounted. The axis of the bearings 68, however, upon which the rollers 62 are carried, is shown as disposed in the horizontal plane of the axis of the shaft 52, With this arrangement the envelopes emerge vertically from the nip of the drum 48 and the rollers 62, while the slotted car rier is disposed to extend across the vert-ical feed plane into position to have its slots receive the envelopes one after another.

The slotted carrier 64 comprises the driven shaft 66 and three slotted discs itl made fast upon it. Each disc, as shown, has ten slots 7l and is intended to receive and deliver ten envelopes per revolution. The shaft 66 is driven at the rate of one revolution in each ten cycles. Each of the ten pockets formed by corresponding slots of the discs is arranged to arrive in envelope receiving position through continuous rotation of the carrier, as an envelope is brought to the transfer station by the drum 43 and the rollers 52. Each envelope is thrust into its assigned pocket at high speed, but is braked by the walls of the curved slots which form the pocket. Each slot forms a segment of a spiral, so that it exerts a progressively increasing braking action as the envelope penetrates more deeply into the discs, Each envelope is thrust substantially fully into the slots, but it is not essential that this full depth insertion be effected with precision or uniformity, because irregularity in this respect will not adversely affect the regular disposition of the envelopes as finally discharged. Each folded envelope 10b enters a slot unobstructedly, as in FlGURE 9, with its top edge, located at the junction of the body and the seal flap, leading. There is no tendency, therefore, for the free edge of the seal flap to snag on a portion 71 of the wheels 64 and become unfolded or rumpled.

A stationary delivery table 72, which is desirably horizontal, and is so shown, extends secant to the carrier 64, being slotted at its receiving end so that it may receive the margins of the discs '70 at the downgoing side of the carrier, and stand in position to intercept .the leading edge of each envelope, arrest the envelope, and force it from its pocket as the carrier 64 continues its rotation relative to the arrested envelope. Even after an envelope has been engaged by the table it is frictionally urged downward by the carrier y64 so that all portions of its `lower edge are pressed against the table. The envelope is thus registered accurately with the accumulated envelopes which have preceded it. As each envelope is added to the stack, the stack is pushed along the table by the carrier to the extent of the thickness of the added blank.

This completes the operation of the mechanism illustrated in FIGURES 1 to 13. In order to avoid digression, however, the details of the mechanism for controlling the suction and blower devices have been passed over up to this point. A description of these and some other details will now be given.

The suction segment 42 is made fast upon a hollow shaft (FIGS. 3 and 12) with which it communicates. The shaft 74 is rotatively supported in a stationary frame member 76, which member also supports the supporting and driving shaft 78 of the drum 32. The drive shaft 78, through suitable gearing (not shown), drives the shaft 74 at eight times its own rotary speed, causing the peripheral linear speed of the segment 42 to be equal to that of the drum 32.

A stationary chest y80, carried by the frame member 76, surrounds the shaft 74 and communicates with the interior of the shaft through passages 82 formed in the tubular shaft (see FIGURES 3, 12 and 13). Suction is intermittently supplied to the segment 42 through the chest S and the shaft 714 by means of a ilexible tube 84. The flexible tube S4 is attached to a nipple 36 which extends through a stationary valve member `SS. The Valve member 88 is substantially semi-circular in form. It rests upon a rotary valve member 90 which is continuously driven by, and in unison with, the shaft 78. The valve member 88 rests in a circumferential channel 92 of the valve member 90 and includes a slotted ear 94 which embraces `a stationary stud 95 for preventing rotation of the valve member 818.

A second flexible tube 96 is directly connected at one end to a source of suction (not shown) and at its opposite end to a second nipple 95 which passes through the valve member 88. Since the shaft 78 turns through ninety `degrees in each cycle of the machine, each quadrant of the valve member 9() corresponds to one complete cycle. Each quadrant is provided with a recess 100 for placing the nipple 86 in communication with the nipple 98 to produce suction in the segment 42 as soon as the bottom iiap 13 reaches the position shown in full lines in FIGS. 4 and l2, and thereby to cause the bottom flap to be gripped at its leading margin. Following the recess is a notch 102 which is open to the atmosphere for admitting atmospheric air to the nipple 86 and hence to the segment 42 to release the blank approximately when the segment 42 reaches the broken line position 42a of FIG. 4. As will be apparent from an examination of FIGURE 13, the nipple 86 is connected with the source of suction for somewhat more than one-quarter of a cycle, and is cut off from the source of suction throughout the remainder of each cycle, i.e., for a little less than a revolution and a half.

In describing the connections to the suction passages 34, the blower 46 and the suction passages 36, the subscript x will be used in connection with those passages and connections which particularly affect the passages 34; the subscript 31 will be used in connection with those passages and connections which particularly affect the blower 46; and the subscript z will be used in connection with those passages and connections which particularly affect the passages 36.

A rotary valve member 104 (FIGS. 1, 3, l0 and ll), common to the passages 34 and 36 and to the blower 46, is mounted on the shaft 7S and compelled to rotate in unison with the shaft so that onequarter turn of the valve member 104 corresponds to a full cycle of the machine. The valve member 1&4 is formed with three circumferential channels 104x, 161431 and iltzI in which separate stationary valve members 196x, 16631 and 1062 are seated. The stationary members are provided, respectively, with slotted ears 103x, 141831 and 1G8z, each of which embraces a stationary rod 1119 for preventing rotation of the respective members. The stationary valve members 106x and lz (FIGS. 10 and 1l) are connected with a source of suction through tubes 112x and 1122 which extend through the respective members 106x t3 and 166z. The stationary valve member 10631 is connected with a source of air under pressure through a tube 11231, which tube extends through the member 19631.

The tube 112x communicates with a recess 114x in the valve member 165x; the tube 11231 communicates with a recess 11431 in the valve member 10631; and the tube 1121 communicates with a recess 114z in the valve member 16z. The valves 166x, 10631 and 1G6z are also provided, respectively, with passages 116x, 11631 and 115z (FIG. ll) which extend through the valve members to the atmosphere. rEhe valve member 1M is formed with four passages 113x, each of which traverses the recesses 114x and the atmospheric passages 116x once in each four cycles. The valve member 1114 is also formed with four passages 11831, each of which traverses the recesses 11431 and the atmospheric passage 11631 once in each four cycles. The valve member 164 is also formed with four passages 11Sz, each of which traverses the recesses 114z and the atmospheric passage 116z once in each four cycles. Each of the passages 1181' is connected through an axially extending passage 120 formed in the valve member' 104, with a flexible tube 112x, and thence through an axially extending passage 124x of the drum 32 with one row of the suction passages 34. Each of the passages 11831 is connected through an axially extending passage 12631 formed in the valve member 164 with a flexible tube 12231 and thence through a passage 12431 of the drum with the blower 46.

Each of the passages 1182: is connected through an axially extending passage 120z formed in the valve member 164, with a flexible tube 1121, and thence through an axially extending passage 124.1 of the drum with one row of the suction passages 36.

The recesses 114x, 11431 and 1142, and the atmospheric passages 116x, 11631 and 116z are properly located and extended to cause the suction passages 34 and 36 and the blowers 45 to be operated in the manner previously described.

The mechanism for controlling the suction passages 56 of the combined suction and pressing bars 54 of the drum 48 is shown in FIGURES 1, 2 and 3. A stationary valve member 126 rests in a circumferential channel 128 of a rotary valve member 130 which is fast on the shaft 52. The valve member 126 includes a slotted ear 132 which embraces a stationary rod 134 to prevent rotation of the valve member 125. A tube 136 which is directly connected with a source of suction (not shown) extends through the valve member 126 and communicates with a recess 137 which is formed in said valve member. The rotary valve member 130 includes two diametrically opposite passages 138 which traverse the recess 137 and then pass beyond the valve member 126 for free communication with the atmosphere. Each passage 133 is connected through a lateral passage 14() and a tube 142 with a passage 143 in one of the bars 54 and thence with the passages S6 in said bar. Thus the passages 56 of the two bars are alternately placed in communication with the atmosphere and with the source of suction. The tubes 142 are carried halfway around the shaft 52 so that the passage 138 of the valve member 130, which is traversing the upper half of its orbit and is, therefore, in communication with the source of suction, will apply suction to the passages 56 which are traversing the lower half of their orbit. In each set of pasasges 56 the suction is on for approximately one-half revolution of the drum 48 and is off for the remainder of the revolution.

The machine of FIGURES 14 to 16 is generally like the machine of FIGURES l to 13, but for the drum 32 there is substituted a drum 140 which is made in circumferentially adjustable suctions in order to provide a desired adjustment for the making of envelopes of different ieights. If the rows of suction openings 34 and 36 are at a xed distance from one another and are to engage the extreme leading margins of the body portion 12 and the seal flap portion 26, it is evident that the machine will be confined to the making of envelopes of just one body height. Actually the machine of FIGURES 1 to 13 affords some latitude because it is not absolutely essential that the extreme forward margins of the envelope parts referred to be engaged by the suction means. Such engagement does not, however, represent the optimum condition.

In FIGURES 14 and 15 the drum 141) consists of four identical segments 142 and four identical segments 144, the segments 142 and 144 being disposed in alternation.

Each segment 142 carries a row 34a of suction passages at its rear extremity and each segment 144 carries a blower 46a at its forward extremity with a row 36a of suction passages immediately behind the blower. The segments 142 are unitary with supporting arms 146 which extend outward from a common hub 148, fast on the shaft 76a. Two of the segments 144 are unitary at each end with supporting arms 1511. The arms 159 at each end are connected to one another through a hub segment 152. The other two segments 144 are unitary at each end with similar arms 154. The arms 154 at each end are connected to one another through a hub segment 156. The hub segments at each end may be iixedly clamped to the shaft 78a by headed screws 158. The shank of each screw 158 is passed freely through a hub segment 152 and threaded into a hub segment 156. When relative adjustment is desired, the screws 158'are partially backed out, the segments 144 are adjusted as a unit relative to the shaft and relative to the segments 142, and the screws 15S are rez-tightened. Each segment 144 has a notch 169 formed in its rear end, and each segment 142 has a protruding tongue 162 which is adapted to iit adjustably in the notch of the neighboring segment 144.

As the parts are shown in FIGURES 14 and 15, they are set for operating upon blanks of minimum height. Each blower 46a is secured to a block portion 164 which is fitted and secured to the associated segment 144 in a receiving pocket formed by lugs 16311 located at the forward extremity of the segment. When the machine is to be adjusted for operating upon blanks of greater height the block portion of minimum width is removed and another one with a blower 46a thereon substituted, the surface of the substituted filler block portion 164 being of greater width. The extended portion of the iiller block needs not be perforated because it is required, not to increase the blower capacity, but to avoid the occurrence of a gap in the area where the roller 44 acts to press down the bottom flap against the body portion 12 and the gummed end iiaps 24 of the envelope blank.

Blowers having filler block portions 164 of various widths are provided so that blanks of Various heights can be operated upon. The successive filler block portions would extend by degrees farther and farther into the dotted line area designated 164e in FIGURE 16.

In FIGURES 17 to 20 the construction is generally like that of FIGURES 14 and 15, save that mechanical pushers are substituted for blowers as the means for deflecting the body portion of the envelope away from the drum, solid filler blocks 166 are substituted in place of the blowers, a rotary mechanical transfer member is provided for guiding the leading end of the body portion of the envelope across the space between the two drums and into position to be intercepted by the second drum, and the suction means on the second drum is dispensed with.

The drum 32h is composed of segments 142b and 144b which correspond to segments 142 and 144 of FIGURES 14 and 15, and which are relatively adjustable in the same manner. Suction passages 34b and 36h are provided the same as before, and means similar to those already described in detail are provided for controlling the supply of suction and of atmospheric air to these passages. Since the blowers are not present the means previously described for controlling the supply of air under pressure to the blowers are, of course, not present.

Each of the segments 14217 is made to carry a pair of thrust rods 16S and operating means therefor, effective to deflect the leading end of the blank away from the drum 32b (FIG. 17) at an appropriate point in the blank travel. The rods 168 are guided for radial movements by radial bores which are formed in the peripheral portions of the segments 142b. The rods 168 have fixed upon their inner ends channeled heads 171), into the channels of which the free ends of operating cranks 172 are fitted. The cranks 172 are fast upon a rock shaft 174 which is rockably mounted in the segment 14211. Each rock shaft 174 has fast upon its end an operating arm 176 which carries a follower roller 178. The roller runs upon the periphery of a stationary cam 166. The roller 178 is constantly urged toward engagement with the cam by a coil spring 182 which surrounds the hub of the arm 176, and engages the segment 142b at one of its ends and the arm 176 at the other.

The cam 181) is generally circular in shape and its normal radius is such that the rods 168 may be retracted within the circumference of the drum 1321;. At one point, however, the cam is formed with a hump 182 which causes the rods 16S to be projected outward. The effect of this is to detlect the envelope body away from the drum as shown in FIGURE 17.

The rods 168 do not throw the envelope body 12a and the folded bottom flap 13C outward as far as the critical point (FIG. 17), but a mechanical transfer member 184 takes over to carry the leading end of the envelope body across the space between the drum 32b and the drum 48h. The transfer member 184 is of substantially the same radius as the drum 48b, and comprises a pair of two-armed members 185, the members being made fast upon a shaft 186 in identical angular positions on the shaft, and being driven counter-clockwise at the same rotary speed (one revolution in two machine cycles) as the shaft 52b which drives the drum 48h. Peripheral or curved portions 18Sa of the members 135, therefore, travel at substantially the speed of the envelope blank. Each member is made S-shaped. The members are so timed that they present a retreating open mouth to the deected envelope body as shown in FIG. 17. The arrangement is such that the leading end of the blank body enters the mouth and rides on the lower curved portions 135g of the members 185. The body part of the envelope is turned farther Aand farther about the score line 16a until the portions 185e pass beyond the reach of the blank body. By that time the blank body has passed through the critical point and is in a position to be intercepted by the drum 48b, and to be finally folded and pressed in orderly fashion about the score line as intended.

The drum 48h is not provided with combined suction and pressing bars, but only with solid pressing bars 54h, although in other respects the drum 4gb is of the same construction as the drum 4S. For assuring transfer of the envelopes from the drum 32b onto the drum 48h, thrust rods 188 are provided on the segments 114b for guiding the envelopes into the nip of the drum 4b and opposed narrow spring biased feed rollers 1%. The thrust rods 133 are guided for radial movement by radial bores formed in the peripheral portions of the segments 144th.

The operating mechanisms for the rods 188 are very similar to the mechanisms which operate the rods 168. Each rod 136 has fast upon its a channeled head 192 into -which is fitted the free end of an operating arm 194. The arms 194 of each set are fast on a rock shaft 196 which is mounted in the segment 1-44b. Each rock shaft also has fast upon it an actuating arm 19S. Each arm 198 carries a follower roller 2011. All of the rollers 2G13 ride upon a stationary cam 202. The cam 202 is generally circular and is of small enough normal radius to permit retraction of the rods 188i within the periphery of the drum 32]), as shown in FIG. 17. The cam 262 is provided with a single hump 2114 for projecting each 11 rod 188 outward at the lappropriate time to cause itto effect the ing action illustrated in FIG. 19'. The recovery by each set of rods y188 to their retracted position is assisted by a return spring 204.

The rods I168 can, if necessary, cut through the body of the drum 4817, but because they are out of line With the axially spaced discs `2b (FIG. 20) and are out of time with the pressing bars 54b no interference can result. Both the rods 168 and 188 nm -out of line with the narrow spring biased rollers 190, and the rods 188 which project `farther out than the rods 1618 are actuated later and also run out of line with the rollers 190.

A series of feed rolls 213 is provided `for cooperating with the drum 48h in feeding the folded envelopes to a slotted carrier as shown and described in, and in connection with, FIGS. 1 to 13.

With the exception of the parts referred to above the machine lof FIGS. 17 to 20` is a duplicate of `the machine of FIGS. l to 13, as modified in FIGS. 14 and l5. Corresponding reference characters have accordingly been applied to corresponding machine parts with the subscript b added in each instance, and corresponding reference characters have Ibeen applied to the envelope parts with the subscript c added. No further detailed description will be given.

yIn FIGS. 2l to 25 disclosure is made of a further modified `form of mechanism embodying the invention.

The illustrative drum 32e is a yduplicate of the drum 32b of FIGS. 17 to 20L Corresponding reference characters have been applied to corresponding parts with the subscript d substituted or added, and no detailed description `will be given.

The illustrative transfer device 184:1, FIG. 25, is the same Vas the device 184. -The transfer drum 48d and associated guide means are considerably altered, however, as compared with the earlier showing.

A shaft 52d is rotatably supported in side frame members 210, being driven through a sprocket 212 which is fast on the shaft. The drum 48d is constituted in part by a pair of discs or pulleys 214 which are mounted on the shaft 52d with capacity for adjustment relative thereto, being secured to the shaft by set screws 216. The discs 214 are `formed with notches through which presser bars 218 extend. 'I'he outer faces of the presser bars are substantially flush with the circumferential Afaces of the discs 2114, but the presser vbars are mounted independently of the discs so that the discs may lbe axially adjusted relative to the bars. The bars 2118- are mounted upon a pair of blocks 220 which are adjustably secured for rotation in unison with the shaft 52a by means of set screws 222.

The blocks 220', as seen in FIG. 22, are formed with notches 221 which slidingly receive the ends of the bars 218. Provision is made for limiting outward movement of the bars but `for permitting the bars to yield inward to a limited extent, as required. Each block 22h* has fixed therein, in association with each bar 218, the shank of a flat eye member 224. A pin 226 is passed through each eye member 224 and has a reduced outer end portion 227 pinned in the associated bar 218. The .pin 226 is surrounded between the eye member 224 and the bar 218 by a compression coil spring '228 and a washer 230. Each spring 228 bears at its outer end kagainst the washer 230l at its inner end against the associated eye member 224, the springs associated with a single bar serving to urige the opposite ends of the bar outward away from the shaft 52C. A nut 232, threaded on the inner end of each pin 226, bears adjustably against the inner face of the eye member 224 to limit outward movement of the associated bar 218.

Midway between the discs 214 a two-armed block 2314 is adjustably secured upon the shaft 52C by means of a set screw 236. The block 234 carries two pressing and feeding shoes 22,8v which are disposed to follow closely the respective presser -bars 2118. Pins 240', carried by l2 the block 234 in fixed relation thereto, extend into slots 242 of the shoes 238 for limiting outward movement of the shoes. Compression coil springs 244 which are lodged in bores of the block 234 bear outward against the leading and trailing margins of the shoes for urging the shoes yieldingly outward.

Narrow driven ybelts 246 are arranged to cooperate with the discs 214 in guiding and feeding the envelopes from the drum 32e to the delivery mechanism 68e Stationary brackets 248 support bearing pins 250 upon which guide rollers 252 are rotatively mounted, and bearing pins 254 upon which guide rollers 256 are rotatively mounted. The brackets 248 also support xed guide wires 258 which assist the pins 168e in separating the envelopes from the drum 32C and directing them to the drum 48C and the belts 246i. The belts 246 are also threaded upon additional guide rolls 260, 262, 264 and flan-ged drive pulleys 266. The brackets 248 and the guide rolls for the belts 246 are all mounted with provision for adjustment transversely of the machine. The drive pulleys `266 are adjustably secured by set screws 267 upon a driven shaft 26S lwhich is mounted in fixed frame members 270. A shaft 272 has fast upon it a sprocket 274 which is connected through a chain 276 with the sprocket 212 on drive shaft 52e. 4The shaft 272 also has fast upon it a sprocket 2.78 which acts through a chain 280 and a sprocket 282, fast on the shaft 268, to drive said shaft.

The sprocket ratios are such that the belts 246 are caused to travel at the peripheral linear speed of the drtun 48C. The `fact that the belts 246 are driven in harmony with the drum 48e assures the maintenance of the correct timing and alignment of the envelopes as they are carried forward to the delivery wheels 63C. This result is promoted by the long wrap of the belts about the driving and guiding pulleys 265, brought about by the location of the guide rolls 262.

As shown in FIGS. 21 and 25, the shaft 66d is disposed below the level of the shaft 52d, the purpose lbeing to permit the delivery table '72d to be located for the convenience of the operator at a lower level than the delivery table 72 of FIG. 1. As before, however, the envelopes are caused to leave the drum 48d in a path which is tangent to the drum ybut secant to the slotted discs of the delivery mechanism 68d. The fact should be noted that the delivery wheel `is shown and described as consisting of slotted discs only for simplicity and convenience. This is intended to comprehend an arrangement in which the slots are spaces formed between separate arms which are individually attached to a common hub or shaft member.

I have described what I believe to be the best embodiments of my invention. I do not wish, however, to be confined to the embodiments shown, but what I desire to cover by Letters Patent is set forth in the appended claims.

I claim:

1. A -ap folding mechanism for envelope machines comprising, in combination, a suction drum, means for delivering previously scored envelope blanks in spaced out relation and at high speed to the drum in time with the operation of the drum, with the bottom ap leading and the seal ap trailing, said drum including a first suction means engageable with the forward margin of the envelope body for holding the body to the drum while the bottom ap is folded and means cooperating with said drum to fold said bottom flap, and a second suction means on said drum engageable with the forward margin of the seal fiap of the same envelope for holding the seal ap to the drum while the body is folded relative to the seal ap and means cooperating with said drum to fold said body over said seal flap.

2. A flap folding mechanism for envelope machines as set forth in claim l in which distinct drum segments are provided for carrying the first and second suction means, and in which means are provided for angularly 

1. A FLAP FOLDING MECHANISM FOR ENVELOPE MACHINES COMPRISING, IN COMBINATION, A SUCTION DRUM, MEANS FOR DELIVERING PREVIOUSLY SCORED ENVELOPE BLANKS IN SPACED OUT RELATION AND AT HIGH SPEED TO THE DRUM IN TIME WITH THE OPERATION OF THE DRUM, WITH THE BOTTOM FLAP LEADING AND THE SEAL FLAP TRAILING, SAID DRUM INCLUDING A FIRST SUCTION MEANS ENGAGEABLE WITH THE FORWARD MARGIN OF THE ENVELOPE BODY FOR HOLDING THE BODY TO THE DRUM WHILE THE BOTTOM FLAP IS FOLDED AND MEANS COOPERATING WITH SAID DRUM TO FOLD SAID BOTTOM FLAP, AND A SECOND SUCTION MEANS ON SAID DRUM ENGAGEABLE WITH THE FORWARD MARGIN OF THE SEAL FLAP OF THE SAME ENVELOPE FOR HOLDING THE SEAL FLAP TO THE DRUM WHILE THE BODY IS FOLDED RELATIVE TO THE SEAL FLAP AND MEANS COOPERATING WITH SAID DRUM TO FOLD SAID BODY OVER SAID SEAL FLAP. 